Wiip Hop - Digital Scratching
This is a project I did for my thesis as part of my Masters in Music Technology.
The system (programmed using Cycling'74's MaxMSP) consists in two loop machines, controlled by two Wii remotes (Wiimotes), allowing the user to play and mix loops or pieces of music, on two different decks.
The user was able to play loops, apply effects on them and scratch/crossfade using gestures. No mouse required, only two Wiimotes (one in each hand).
I visited many DJs during the interaction design process to establish a list of requirements, as well as in the testing process to fine tune the system, and make it ready for performance.
Pressing the remote's trigger was equivalent to putting one's hand on a vinyl record, and moving one's hand back and forth allowed to use to scratch on a digital piece of sound just like if it was recorded on a vinyl. While scratching with one hand, turntablists tend to use the crossfader with the other hand, to create interesting effects, and this was also implemented. While one controller was used for scratching, the other one could be used for crossfading quickly and precisely using a combination of the "A" button and hand gesture.
I implemented the effects myself, namely a delay, modulator, pahser and a low pass filter. The performer was able to change the parameters of an effect by using the Wii's infrared sensors by pointing at them and moving the devices. (Feedback was provided on the screen).
The user could also beatmatch loops from one deck to the other using visual cues.
This is a project I did for my thesis as part of my Masters in Music Technology.
The system (programmed using Cycling'74's MaxMSP) consists in two loop machines, controlled by two Wii remotes (Wiimotes), allowing the user to play and mix loops or pieces of music, on two different decks.
The user was able to play loops, apply effects on them and scratch/crossfade using gestures. No mouse required, only two Wiimotes (one in each hand).
I visited many DJs during the interaction design process to establish a list of requirements, as well as in the testing process to fine tune the system, and make it ready for performance.
Pressing the remote's trigger was equivalent to putting one's hand on a vinyl record, and moving one's hand back and forth allowed to use to scratch on a digital piece of sound just like if it was recorded on a vinyl. While scratching with one hand, turntablists tend to use the crossfader with the other hand, to create interesting effects, and this was also implemented. While one controller was used for scratching, the other one could be used for crossfading quickly and precisely using a combination of the "A" button and hand gesture.
I implemented the effects myself, namely a delay, modulator, pahser and a low pass filter. The performer was able to change the parameters of an effect by using the Wii's infrared sensors by pointing at them and moving the devices. (Feedback was provided on the screen).
The user could also beatmatch loops from one deck to the other using visual cues.
